RRP $70 for new Penfolds Bin 389

[Mike Hawkins]

The 2007 Grange will cost $625 per bottle. The 2006 vintage sold for $599.

At auction the 2006 last sold for $500. Most other recent (1990-2005) sold for between $335 and $505 at Langtons. If I wanted the 2007 I'd be waiting until they hit the auctions and get 'em at a better price.

Especially given the reputation of the 2007 vintage....

[n4sir]

Not trying to help Penfold's but the saleman said that Peter Gago told him that the '08 Bin 389 was perhaps the best one in over a decade.

I also heard this from one of their other Winemakers last year and strongly disagree. The 2004, 2002, 2006 & 2005 vintages would all be better, none of them up there with the very best Bin 389s but better than the 2008, which got me thinking that...

... I'm not sure that I've tried a truly great Bin 389 since Peter Gago became head winemaker of Penfolds (post 2001), nothing that really matches the standard of the 1990, 1991, 1996 & 1998 vintages for example - 2004 might be a chance in the long run, but that's it. Pretty damming stuff really, and only adds to the impression that the quality of Bin 389 has been sacrificed along the way to introduce higher priced labels like RWT, the Cellar Reserve Barossa Cabernet, the new Bin 169, the various Special Bins, not to mention the decision to go ahead with a Bin 707 in a horrible year like 2007.

My 2c,
Ian

[Craig(NZ)]

Agree Ian

The 94 Bin 389 was pretty good too. After 98 really only the 04 impressed me.

The tale of the tape with Bin 407 is even worse. I havent really been impressed with anything sinc the 94! I just cannot work out why anyone thinks it is worth anything like $70. its not even worth half that in my opinion!

[winenovice]

Who are they trying to kid??

The last time I bought Bin 389 was in March 2001 at $27 pb (1998 vintage) from a bottle shop at North Sydney. At that time I bought 10 boxes and am still enjoying my last dozen.


Alan

You bought 120 bottles of the same wine? You must have really loved it! =)

John

[TiggerK]

Can't say I blame him, it was a wine that blew my mind at the time, started my wine journey and led to me hanging out here!!

The 1998 707 had a serious part to play in that too. Far too young at the time, must have been the American oak, but I do have a soft spot for vanilla.

[daz]

Can't say I blame him, it was a wine that blew my mind at the time, started my wine journey and led to me hanging out here!!

The 1998 707 had a serious part to play in that too. Far too young at the time, must have been the American oak, but I do have a soft spot for vanilla.

I've kept the 2nd and last bottle of 707 98. Had the first perhaps 5 years ago and the ameroak was most assuredly evident. There are better wines around than Bin 389 at 50% lower prices than asked for 389 now. The couple of 98s I had were ok but I thought the tannins were a bit OTT. Last bottle about 2-3 years ago didn't really excite.

[rooman]

Agree Ian

The 94 Bin 389 was pretty good too. After 98 really only the 04 impressed me.

The tale of the tape with Bin 407 is even worse. I havent really been impressed with anything sinc the 94! I just cannot work out why anyone thinks it is worth anything like $70. its not even worth half that in my opinion!

I tried the second of my '98s recently and was really impressed. The earlier bottle drunk about 3 years ago was completely closed when first opened and took 3 days to pop up and say hi. The second wine however was up and running within an hour or so of being open. Savoury, great depth of flavour and superb length. I have subsequent vintages but based on the performance of these two wines, I will probably not open the rest until around the 14 year mark.

[tonym]

currently $55 at the local large bottlo for the 09 and $62 for the 07